IS THE FILM’S SCREENWRITER FEMALE? Yes, one of three credited (Bettina Gilois) (does not impact scoring)

BOTTOM LINE: Women barely exist in this movie except as supporting characters to their sons, boyfriends, and husbands. Behold yet another stock supportive wife: noble, long-suffering, making the best of the messes her husband is constantly getting their family into.

NOTE: This is not a “review” of McFarland USA (aka McFarland)! It is simply an examination of how well or how poorly it represents women. (A movie that represents women well can still be a terrible film; a movie that represents women poorly can still be a great film.) Read my review of McFarland USA (aka McFarland).